E3 Saxo Classic 2025, one day classic, March 28

[Lequack]

It's the proper start of cobbled classics, they only way to properly race a classic.
The old gang is back, fresh from Milano Sanremo. It's MVDP vs Pog vs Ganna again, but now joined by Wout as well. And a host of other talent as well.

Notable rider: Pogacar Wout, MVDP, Girmay, Jorgenson, De Lie, Pedersen, Ganna, Wellens, Kung, Vacek, Alaphilippe, Matthews

E3 Saxo Classic ME 2025

www.procyclingstats.com

E3 Saxo Classic - The world’s most thrilling cycling race — always rac

Where pure cycling passion, VIP hospitality, and excitement meet at every kilometer.

www.e3saxoclassic.be

Live video stream available on Eurosport/GCN alternative.

Full startlist (not yet final):

Startlist for E3 Saxo Classic ME 2025

Competing teams and riders for E3 Saxo Classic ME 2025. Top competitors are , and .

www.procyclingstats.com

Map:

Profile:

 

[Berniece]

Let's see if Pogacar can drop the others this time around. If he rides it, because apparently he won't participate this weekend in any race if he's going to ride Roubaix.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Not sure if Pogi will participate, unfortunately no announcement regarding PR yet. 2 years ago he couldn't drop Vans here and took 3rd place but one week later nobody withstood his attacks. Hopefully it will be a good race.

 

[Lequack]

Last year

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771274746656657871

View: https://x.com/AtlantaRouleur/status/1771274746656657871

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It will be interesting to see what kind of shape Wout is in after he's been riding on Teide/couchsurfing his way through Scandinavia.

 

[RedheadDane]

It will be interesting to see what kind of shape Wout is in after he's been riding on Teide/couchsurfing his way through Scandinavia.

Oooh... he's actually under your couch?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

We're going up the Tiegemberg and Naesen isn't listed as a notable rider? Boo!

 

[QueenStagiaire]

We're going up the Tiegemberg and Naesen isn't listed as a notable rider? Boo!

To be fair, a race that includes the Tiegemberg is just too hard for him.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Fun bit of trivia about the Karnemelkbeekstraat or Rue du Lait Battu, 32 km before finish: this climb coincides with the language border. The left side of the road is in Wallonia; the right side in Flanders.

[Edited]

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Fun bit of trivia about the Karnemelkbeekstraat or Rue du Lait Battu, 32 km before finish: this climb coincides with the language border. The left side of the road is in Flanders; the right side in Wallonia.

Actually, in the direction the race is going, the left side is in Wallonia and the right side in Flanders.

 

[Sciatic]

Fun bit of trivia about the Karnemelkbeekstraat or Rue du Lait Battu, 32 km before finish: this climb coincides with the language border. The left side of the road is in Flanders; the right side in Wallonia.

That is very cool to learn. Once again, this the CN content I’m here for (and race info too)

 

[tobydawq]

Fun bit of trivia about the Karnemelkbeekstraat or Rue du Lait Battu, 32 km before finish: this climb coincides with the language border. The left side of the road is in Flanders; the right side in Wallonia.

Where is the beek part in the French name!?!

It's a nice climb. I've also seen them refer to it as the E3 Col because it's the only race where it's used. Which is weird as Karnemelkbeekstraat rolls right off the tongue and is really easy to type.

 

[tobydawq]

Nice to see that the coverage seems to be planned to give us three and a half hours. That small organiser of Omloop could learn from this race.

 

[RedheadDane]

Where is the beek part in the French name!?!

Wait, does "karnemelkbeek" mean what I think it means, and why would you name a street that?

(Just to clarify; I'm not implying that you specifically were responsible for the name.)

 

[Samamba]

Somewhat strong headwind in the end (which means possible tail crosswind in first part of the race), also rain expected (for now) in the afternoon.

 

[tobydawq]

Wait, does "karnemelkbeek" mean what I think it means, and why would you name a street that?

(Just to clarify; I'm not implying that you specifically were responsible for the name.)

Yes, it does.

I assume because there is a creek with buttermilk in the vicinity.

 

[Tim Cahill]

No Pogacar is the current rumour, Fabio Baldato.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

No Pogacar is the current rumour, Fabio Baldato.

I'm not sure Baldato is gonna read this.

But I notice that QS are missing two riders in their provisional roster, so perhaps Remco and a post MRS disgruntled Pogačar will be taking those spots.

 

[tobydawq]

I'm not sure Baldato is gonna read this.

But I notice that QS are missing two riders in their provisional roster, so perhaps Remco and a post MRS disgruntled Pogačar will be taking those spots.

Pogacar doesn't ride for Soudal. This should be common knowledge, Samu.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Pogacar doesn't ride for Soudal. This should be common knowledge, Samu.

Thank you, Professor Toby. I'll have to put more effort into my Tuesday evening material in the future.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I'm not sure Baldato is gonna read this.

But I notice that QS are missing two riders in their provisional roster, so perhaps Remco and a post MRS disgruntled Pogačar will be taking those spots.

Oh no I think you misunderstood, what I meant was that he's riding as Pogacar's replacement, Fassa Bortolo lives on.

 

[Berniece]

No Pogacar is the current rumour, Fabio Baldato.

I don’t understand the reasoning for not riding E3 and GW because Roubaix is in 2.5 weeks. To reduce the risk of crashing?

 

[Tim Cahill]

I don’t understand the reasoning for not riding E3 and GW because Roubaix is in 2.5 weeks. To reduce the risk of crashing?

Perhaps some sort of compromise, I suppose it's quite a difficult balancing act for Gianetti who has to measure Pogacar's ambitions with having the sheiks on phone every day asking how it's looking for the Tour de France. He also needs to be as fresh as possible coming out of Liege so he's in a good spot to start dropping the weight, having to deal with VDP/Wout in a load of cobbled classics and then Evenepoel in the Ardennes won't come without a price. Wouldn't be the favourite for Gent anyway imo, too far after the last Kemmelberg and Alpecin/Trek have sprinters who can actually race.

 

[Didinho]

It’s confirmed. Pogi not on the list anymore.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It’s confirmed. Pogi not on the list anymore.

PR, here we go!